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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 11, No. 38
County Teacher of the Year Laurel Elementary’s Bordeau honored by Samie Hartley Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Debbie Bordeau
Laurel Elementary third-grade teacher Debbie Bordeau, seen here with former students Caden and Carter Lewis, was named Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year at a banquet last week. The Lewis boys introduced her to the audience at the ceremony.
Laurel Elementary teacher Debbie Bordeau doesn’t typically wear tiaras to staff meetings, but Monday was an exception. As she entered the staff room, she was greeted with applause and cheers from her peers, who placed the tiara on her head and draped her with a sash – the Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year had arrived. “I still can’t believe it,” said Bordeau, who was named Teacher of the Year at a banquet last week. “Since being named Laurel Teacher of the Year, I told myself that anything beyond that would be icing on the cake. This is an amazing honor. I never thought I’d be
Teacher of the Year for the district – let alone the county – so this is really special.” Bordeau, who teaches third grade, has marked Sept. 15 on her calendar as one of her favorite days. Not only was she named County Teacher of the Year last Thursday; the day also marked the one-year anniversary of her final chemo treatment. “It’s amazing where a year can take you,” she said. “It’s hard to believe that a year ago, I was sitting in the chair getting my last chemo treatment, and then this year, I’m on stage being honored as Teacher of the Year for the county. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I told myself I wouldn’t let the disease and the treatments get me down. I feel so lucky to be here.” Oakley Union School District Superintendent Rick Rogers said see Teacher page 15A
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September 23, 2011
Shoppers get snippy
An effective way to cut household expenses is to whip out the scissors and practice the art of couponing. Page 1B
After-school self-defense A 5th Degree Black Belt is ushering K-5 students into the confidence-building world of martial arts. Page 6A
Leading by example
Local heroes honored for bravery by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
Sometimes the most ordinary days turn out to be the most extraordinary. Such was the case for Samantha Sunburst and Fredrick Reed, Oakley residents whose heroic actions turned a regular day into an unforgettable experience. Last May as Sunburst and Reed were walking along the stretch of road between Main Street and Rose Avenue in Oakley, the pair watched in horror as a driver lost control of her car, jumped the sidewalk and careened over the cement wall into the canal below. “I just looked at Samantha and said, ‘Did you see that?’” said Reed, who hadn’t met Sunburst prior to the accident. “She nodded and was already on the phone calling 911.”
Photo by Ruth Roberts
Fredrick Reed and Samantha Sunburst received commendations from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District for rescuing three people from a car that had driven into a canal in Oakley. Reed and Sunburst, along with two other passersby – Jessica Visonhader and Christopher Mar-
tin – jumped into the canal and got to work. “We were together as a team
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pulling everyone out of the car and dragging them up the hill,” said Reed. “I don’t think we really thought about it,” said Sunburst. “We just did it.” Inside the car – which was rapidly filling with water – was an elderly woman and her two schoolage grandchildren. By the time Reed, Sunburst and the others got to the vehicle, the passengers were crying and screaming for help. “The kids were holding their heads up as high as they could trying to get enough air, and everyone was crying,” said Reed. “We just grabbed them one at a time and got them out of there.” Soon afterward, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) – Station 93 – arrived on the scene. But Capt. see Heroes page 15A
Harness hints
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Newly acquired property near Mt. Diablo will preserve a volcanic dome.
Child car-seat safety involves more than just strapping in and buckling up.
Olympians inspired local swimmers at a recent clinic. Video of the action can be viewed at www.thepress.net. Page 18A Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ......................... 11B Cop Logs ............................17A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 8B Food ...................................... 7B Health & Beauty ................ 6B Milestones .......................... 5B Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................18A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Rousing Run
go to multimedia/videos The inaugural Harvest Run raised heart rates and funds for food banks.